PULLMAN, Wash. — Ellen Hayden, Snohomish, has been inducted into the Washington state 4-H Hall of Fame.
Hayden helped establish the 4-H horse program in Snohomish County and has been a staunch supporter of 4-H since 1957. She and her husband, Fred, formed a second 4-H horse club in Snohomish County in 1958.
The Haydens were superintendents of the first county 4-H horse exhibit, which was held in Marysville in 1958. The exhibit moved to the fairgrounds the following year with members showing in a small, makeshift arena. No barns were available.
Ellen Hayden was instrumental in organizing donations of lumber and obtaining volunteer labor to build the barns and the arena. In 1960, the first official Snohomish County 4-H Horse Exhibit at the Evergreen State Fair attracted 75 exhibitors. By 1962, more than 130 came.
Through the years, Ellen Hayden has been a 4-H judge all across the state, given numerous farm tours, provided clinics in many counties, and has been the official judge at many 4-H judging clinics and contests. For about 20 years, she has been an instructor at the annual Snohomish County 4-H Training School.
A total of 122 people have been inducted into the State 4-H Hall of Fame since it was created in 2001.
The Washington State University Extension 4-H program is a community of young people who are learning leadership, citizenship and life skills. Adult leaders are integral to its success. 4-H’er’s participate in such projects and programs as animal science, the Know Your Government Conference, Science Camp-in, technology, photography and in cultural exchanges.
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